Method of locating a bracket

ABSTRACT

A cabinet assembly of the knockdown type embodying male and female brackets mounted contiguous to peripheral edges of members for affixing the members together in a snap together manner. A method and structure for locating the brackets relative to the respective members in preselected locations is employed. Additionally, the brackets embody improved resilient fingers for holding the brackets and members in an interlocked condition.

United States Patent Haiduk 1 51 July 11, 1972 [54] METHOD OF LOCATING A BRACKET 3,403,641 10/1968 Baker ..108/152 [72] Inventor: F I mum Lincoln Park'Mich 3,426,419 2/1969 Banks ..29/200PX [73] Assignee: Regis Mnntlhcmling Company Primary Examiner-1110mm H. Eager Filed Much 23 "no Attorney-Flames, Dickey 8:. Pierce 21 Appl. No.: 21,730 1 ABSTRACT A cabinet asembly of the knockdown type embodying male 52 us. c1. 49/150 29/407 and bracke 8"" WiPhml w 511 in. C1. ..B23p 13/00 B23 17/00 membm amxin! a snalP [58] Mofmh 29/50 407,200? 200 1 together manner. A method and structure for locating the brackets relative to the respective members in preselected locations is employed. Additionally, the brackets embody im- CM proved resilient fingers for holding the brackets and members rr ST 1155 PATENTS in an interlocked condition.

9/l966 Montandon ..29/l$0 X SChInsJDrnwingflgures PATENTEDJUL 1 1 m2 SHEET 10F 2 rm; 1 A2392} P'A'TENTEBJUL 11 I972 3. 675,293 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTO i200? )7. #4 20% METHOD OF LOCATING A BRACKET CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,641, entitled Brackets for Assembling Knockdown Cabinets, issued Oct. l, 1968 in the name of Harold L. Baker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method for locating a bracket relative to a member and more particularly relates to an improved method for making a knockdown cabinet or the like.

In the aforenoted patent, an arrangement is disclosed for assembling knockdown cabinets or the like. This arrangement embodies male and female brackets that are atfixed respectively, to two members that are to be assembled and contiguous to the edge of at least one of the members. When the members are brought into abutting relationship, the brackets will snap together and rigidly aifix the members together. This arrangement is highly desirable in that it permits the structural members and brackets to be shipped to an assembly site in a knocked-down fashion. The brackets may then be aflixed to members and the members connected together by means of the affixed brackets. With this assembly method it is very important that the brackets be accurately located with respect to the members to which they are to be affixed. It is also important that the male and female brackets be affixed to the correct member at the assembly site.

It is, therefore, a principle object of this invention to provide an improved method for assembling a pair of members.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method for locating an attaching bracket relative to an associated member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is particularly adapted to be embodied in a method of assembling a pair of members embodying male and female type brackets. Cooperating interengaging locating surfaces are accurately located and prefonned on each of the brackets and a respective one of the members for facilitating positioning of each of the brackets relative to the respective member. The locating surfaces of the respective members coact for accurately positioning the brackets relative to the members and the brackets are then fixed to the respective members. The members may then be connected together by interengaging the brackets with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a knockdown cabinet embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area encompassed in the circle 2 in FIG. I and shows the connecting brackets in an interengaged position.

FIG. 3 is a view, in part similar to FIG. 2, showing the parts in an exploded condition.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the male bracket.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the female bracket.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I, a knockdown cabinet assembly embodying the invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 11. It is to be understood that, although the invention is described in conjunction with a knockdown cabinet, certain features of the invention are susceptible for use in other applications. The invention has particular utility, however, in conjunction with the assembly of knockdown or prefabricated components.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the cabinet ll includes a pair of parallel side walls 12 and 13, a rear wall 14, a bottom shelf 15, a top panel 16 and a toe board 17. The members 12 through 17 may be made from wood, composition board or any other suitable, relatively rigid material. These members are secured together by means of a plurality of male brackets, indicated generally by the reference numeral 18 and cooperating female brackets, indicated generally by 19. A pair of doors 2! and 22 are supported by pairs of hinges 23 and 24, respectively, for pivotally supporting the doors 21 and 22 relative to the side walls 12 and 13.

The brackets 18 and 19 and the manner of connecting the various members together will now be described in particular reference to the remaining figures. These figures disclose the method of attachment of the side wall 13 to the rear wall 14. It is to be understood that this attachment method and construction is typical of the joints between any two of the members and may be used to attach any two members of any other type of prefabricated component. Each of the brackets 18 and 19 is formed from sheet metal by a plurality of press operations. The brackets 18 and 19 are accurately located with respect to the structural members and are affixed to these members, either on the site or at the point where the prefabricated as sembly is made in a manner which will become more apparent as this description proceeds.

The male bracket 18 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is comprised of a generally planar mounting portion 25 having a central embossment 26 in which a pair of spaced apertures 27 and 28 are formed. The apertures 27 and 28 have a generally countersunk configuration as clearly shown in FIG. 5. At opposite peripheral edges of the mounting portion 25, resilient fingers or tangs 29 and 31 are formed. The fingers 29 and 31 extend upwardly relative to the mounting portion 25 and are curved about a radius, indicated at 32 in FIG. 5 and which is exaggerated for the sake of illustration. Edges 33 and 34 are fonned at the outer end of the tangs 29 and 31, for a reason which will become more apparent as this description proceeds.

A tapered tongue 35 extends outwardly from the mounting portion 25 and between the fingers 29 and 31. The tongue 35 extends perpendicularly to the mounting portion 25. A central opening 36 is formed in the tongue 35 and a reversely joined tang 37 extends outwardly of the opening 36. The tang 37 is curved about a radius, indicated by the line 38 in FIG. 5.

A pair of locating embossments 39 and 41 are formed on the mounting portion 25 at a distance from each other in dicated by the dimension 42. The embossments extend from the mounting portion 25 in a direction opposite to the tongue 35.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6 and 7. the female bracket 19 is comprised of a generally planar mounting section 44. An embossed central portion 45 defines a pair of countersunk openings 46 and 47. At the forward edge of the mounting portion 44 the embossment 45 is formed with an upwardly tapered portion 48 that forms an opening 49 that is adapted to receive the tongue 35, as will become more apparent as this description proceeds. On either side of the opening 49, the mounting portion 44 is formed with generally hemispherical embossments SI and 52.

The center of the portion 45 is formed with a second embossment 53 having a generally tapered shape. The embossment 53 is apertured as at 54.

A pair of locating embossments 55 and 56 are formed on the mounting portion 44 on opposite sides of the embossment 45. Locating embossments 55 and 56 are spaced apart at a distance 57 and extend from the mounting portion 44 in a direction opposite to the embossment 45.

As has been previously noted, the cabinet assembly II is adapted to be shipped in a knocked down fashion. In this way, the members 12 through I? and doors 21 and 22 may be conveniently stacked, one upon the other, and packaged. The necessary number of brackets 18 and 19 and hinges 23 and 24 may be packaged separately. On the site, the brackets 18 and 19 are first affixed to the respective members. Due to the manner of attachment of the brackets 18 and 19 to each other, it is extremely important that these brackets be accurately located with respect to the member to which they are to be attached. In order to insure this accurate location, prefonned locating openings are formed in the members to receive the locating embossments 39 and 41 or 55 and 56 of the respective brackets 18 and 19. FIG. 3 depicts the manner and form of these locating openings. In this figure, the side panel 13 is adapted to receive a male bracket 18. Thus, at the appropriate location a pair of locating holes 58 and 59 are formed in the inner surface of the panel 13. The openings 58 and 59 are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance 42 and are spaced at a distance at the edge of the panel 13 as required to complete the assembly. In a like manner, locating openings 61 and 62 are formed in the member 14 at a distance from each other equal to the distance 57. The openings 61 and 62 are formed at an appropriate distance from the edge of the panel 14. It should be noted that the distance 42 is different from the distance 57 so that reversal of the brackets 18 and 19 is precluded. When the cabinet 11 is to be assembled, the embossments 39 and 41 of the male bracket 18 are inserted into the openings 58 and 59. The bracket 18 will then be accurately located with respect to the panel 13. Screws are then inserted through the countersunk openings 27 and 28 to affix the bracket 18 to the panel 13. If desired, when the panel 13 is formed with the openings 58 and 59, smaller openings may be formed adjacent the place where the apertures 27 and 28 will register for receiving and starting the screws. The female bracket 19 is located relative to the panel 14 and is attached to it in a manner similar to that already described.

When the necessary brackets are fixed to the respective members, the members are attached together using these brackets. This is done by inserting the tongues 35 into the openings 49. The tongues 35 are inserted into these openings until the tangs 37 register with and snap into the openings 54. At this time, disassembly will be precluded. The resilient curved fingers or tangs 29 and 31 will contact the embossrnents 51 and 52 and tend to urge the bracket 18 away from the bracket 19. This will force an edge 63 of the tang 37 into firm engagement with the aperture 54 and prevent disassembly. If it is desired to disassemble the cabinet, a screwdriver or suitable tool is inserted through the aperture 54 to depress the curved tang 37. The tang 37 is depressed sufficiently so as to clear the aperture 54 and permit the tongue 35 to be withdrawn. Since the tangs 29, 31 and 37 are curved rather than being straight as in the aforenoted patent, they will retain their resilience and will not be permanently deformed. They may, therefore, be reused several times, if necessary. Also, since the brackets 18 and 19 are positively and accurate ly located, the finished cabinet assembly will have neat and tight joints.

lclairn:

l. A method for assembling a pair of members employing a male type bracket and a female type bracket comprising the steps of accurately locating and preforming cooperating interengaging locating embossments on each of the brackets and apertures in respective ones of the members for facilitating the positioning of each of the brackets relative to the respective member, interengaging the locating embossments of each of the brackets with the locating apertures of the respective members for accurately positioning the brackets relative to the respective member, afl'lxing each of the brackets to the respective member, and connecting the members together by interengaging the brackets with each other.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are two locating embossments formed on each of the brackets and two corresponding locating apertures formed on each of the mem bers.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the set of locating embossments on the male bracket are spaced apart a different distance than the set of locating apertures on the female bracket for recluding inadvertent reversal of the brackets.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of forming pairs of apertures in each of the brackets for passing screws or the like, the screws or the like serving as the means for affixing the brackets to the respective members.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 further including the step of prefonning holes in the members that are aligned with the screw receiving aperture of the brackets when the brackets are located with respect to the members for starting screws therein.

a: a s 

1. A method for assembling a pair of members employing a male type bracket and a female type bracket comprising the steps of accurately locating and preforming cooperating interengaging locating embossments on each of the brackets and apertures in respective ones of the members for facilitating the positioning of each of the brackets relative to the respective member, interengagiNg the locating embossments of each of the brackets with the locating apertures of the respective members for accurately positioning the brackets relative to the respective member, affixing each of the brackets to the respective member, and connecting the members together by interengaging the brackets with each other.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are two locating embossments formed on each of the brackets and two corresponding locating apertures formed on each of the members.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the set of locating embossments on the male bracket are spaced apart a different distance than the set of locating apertures on the female bracket for precluding inadvertent reversal of the brackets.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of forming pairs of apertures in each of the brackets for passing screws or the like, the screws or the like serving as the means for affixing the brackets to the respective members.
 5. A method as set forth in claim 4 further including the step of preforming holes in the members that are aligned with the screw receiving aperture of the brackets when the brackets are located with respect to the members for starting screws therein. 